Portable electric lamp



April 25, 1933. G WHEAT PORTABLE ELECTRIC LAMP Filed June 50, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1 6

INVENTOR BY flown.

April 25, 1933. G. WHEAT PORTABLE ELECTRIC LAMP Filed June 30, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

INVENTOR WW lg; ATTORNEY.

April 25, 1933. G. WHEAT PORTABLE ELECTRIC LAMP Filed June 50, 195..

4 ATTORNEY.

INVENTOR @J'M April 25, 1933. WHEAT 1,905,774

PORTABLE ELECTRI C LAMP Filed June so, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTQ v M 24/,

I I I ATTORNEY- Patented Apr. 25, 1933 UNITED STATES I GRANT wnns'r, or MAELBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, nssieu'on r KOEHLEB I'MANUI iAe, issssecnosn'r'r'sn coaronarion'or rinssn- Tonnes COMPANY, or ivran'nnono. onusn'r'rs Application filed June 30,

This invention relates to portable lamp for recharging the battery. In some of these portable lamps, especially those which are to be used in mines, it is highly important that the charging terminals be protected from short circuiting, either accidentally or intentionally, not only because such short circuiting may deprive the workman of his source of light, but more especially because of the danger of creating a spark which may cause an explosion in the mine. The problem is complicated in the ease of mine lamps be cause of-some' strain of perversity, or lack of other interests, which compels a large per- 'centage of the miners to experiment with their lamps.

The present invention deals particularly with these problems. It aims to improve portable lamp structures with a view to pro- 'viding for the convenient recharging of the batteries, while at the same time effectually protecting the charging terminals from mischievous or intentional tampering. The nature of the invention will be readily understood from the following description whenread in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims. v

In the drawings, 1 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable lamp embodying features ofthis invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the lamp illustrated in Fig. 1 showing the top of the battery casing removed; k

3 is a side elevation of the insulating block in which the charging terminals are mounted and the cover which protects said is terminals;

ronranrn miner's-1c LAMP.

193i. Serial'No. stasis earner ornice) Fig. 4 is an end view of the parts shown in Fig. 3;

the line 55, Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the parts shown in Fig. 3; T

Fig. 5 is a sectional VlGW approximately on Fig. 7 is a perspective view on alargerscale of a part of the battery casing top;

tion;

trip lamp used in mines;

Fig. 8 is a front view showing a modifica- V v I Fig. 9 1s a side elevation of a tail lamp or Fig. 10 is a side view, partly 1n cross-sec-- tion, illustrating details ofthe arrangement for protectlng the .charglng terminals;

shown in Fig. 10'from a different position; Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the switch and cover parts; Fig; 13 is a perspective view of parts of the construction shown in'Figls. 9 15012;

Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectionalview show e0 Fig. 11 is a side view looking at the parts ing details of the apparatus illustrated infFigQ Fig. 15 is a planview ofthelo-wer side ot a casing top similar to that shown in Fig; '13-,

some of the parts being shown in section; and Flg. 16 is a sideelevation 'ori'the' parts shown in Fig. 14. Referring first to. Figs. 1 and 2, the lamp structure there shown comprisesa casing 2-" adapted to hold a storage battery and a'lampcasing 3 which usually contains a main electric lamp bulb and a smaller emergency bulb. This lamp caslng is secured to the removable top 4 of thebattery casing. 'Electriccondue the battery with the lamp bulbs this connec tion being made through a switch,the handle 3 for which is shown at 6, by means of which the workman can turn on either lamp, as dc the entire assembly and directingthe beam of lighten any desired object. 390

tors, such as those shown in Fig.2 at 5, connect The charging terminals for the battery are shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6 at 8 and 9, respectively. In the particular construction shown these terminals consist of metal tubes into which screws 10 are threaded for the purpose of clamping the ends of the conductors in the tubes. The two terminals are connected, respectively, to the battery terminals and one of the charging terminals, in this case the terminal 8, is made larger than the terminal 9. Theseterminals are designed to receive the two pins of-a charging terminal plug, these pins being shaped to fit the respectii e terminals 8 and 9. By making one of these terminals larger than the other it is impossible to place the pins in the wrong terminal sockets. Both terminals 8 and 9 are mounted in an insulating block 12 which is secured rigidly inside the casing top 4, and an aperture 13 is formed in the side of the casing top to afford access to both charging terminals.

Normally the aperture 13 is closed and access to the charging terminals is therefore prevented by a cover plate 14 which is mounted to slide horizontally just inside the casing and across the front of the insulating block 12, the block being grooved, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, for this purpose. When the plate is in its closed position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, it prevents access to the charging terminals 8 and 9 and when it is open it permits such access.

It is desirable to lock the cover 14 in its.

closed position in some manner so that it cannot be opened by unauthorized ersons. Many arrangements may be used or this purpose. I prefer, however, to use a latch which may be released electro-magnetically. As shown in Fig. 6 theplate 14 is provided with an inturned end 15 which is adapted to slide into and out of a recess 16 provided in the block 12. The latch shown consists of a pin 17 mounted to slide vertically in the insulating block 12 and having a lower bevelled end to engage the part 15. A leaf spring 18 which is secured in a groove formed in the upper surface of the block 12 has one end secured to the pin 17 and is so biased that it presses the pin downwardly into its locking .position as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The

cover plate 14 also has a thumb piece 20 extending outwardly through the aperture 13 by means of which the workman may move the cover. 'VVhen he slides the cover into its closed position the bent over end '15 strikes the lower bevelled end of the pin or latch 17 lifting this latch as the part 15 slides under it. The latch then drops down behind the lug 15 and locks the cover 14 in its closed position where it protects the charging terminals 8 and 9.

The latch or locking device is located in a concealed position in the top 4 of the battery casing where it is normally inaccessible. The

latch may, however, be released by placing a magnet against the casing top 4 immediately over the pin 17. The casing preferably is made of some non-magnetic metal, such as brass, aluminum, or the like. In order to indicate the location of the latch a rivet or stud 21 is located in the casing top 4 immediately over the pin 17, this stud being made of iron, or some other magnetic metal so that it will transmit lines of force from a magnet into a position closely adjacent to the upper end of the latch 17 and thus facilitate the release of the latch.

It is contemplated that a battery equipped with charging terminals protected in the manner above described can also be' used with that type of miners lamp in which the lamp casing is'supported on the miners cap and the battery is slung from his belt, the battery and lamp casing being connected by a cord which includes the electric conductors for carrying current from the battery to the lamp. In such lamps, as well as that shown inFigs. 1 and 2, a common arrangement is for the entire lamp structure to be turned in at the lamp house when the miner leaves the mine. The attendant there takes each lamp, unlocks the cover plate 14 and slides it back, and then plugs it into the charging circuit to recharge the battery. I-Ie closes the cover 14 again before allowing the miner to take the lamp away. This arrangement, therefore, eflectually prevents the accidental or mischievous short circuiting of the charging terminals, while at the same time providing for the convenient charging of the battery when that becomes necessary. 1

Other forms of covers can be substituted for the sliding cover'used in the construction above described. Fig. 8 shows a swinging cover 23 pivoted in the casing at 24 so that it can be moved across the aperture 13' provided to expose the charging terminals 8 and 9. This cover is provided with an aperture to register with the aperture 13. In Fig. 8 the cover is shown in its open position. It is swung into its closed position by turning the pivot stud 24 to the right, this stud forming a handle. When it arrives in its closed position the end'25 of a pivoted latch drops into a notch 26 in the cover and looks it. A spring 27 actuates the latch. This latch also may be released electro-magnetically by placing one pole of a magnet against an iron pin.

28 which projects through the cover and performs the same functions as the stud 21 in the construction above described. It should be understood that the end 25 of the latch is offset laterally with reference to the main body of the latch so that the latch does not interfere with the swinging movements of the cover 23.

In some lamp structures it is desirable to make provision for ensuringthat the lamp circuit will be kept open during the charging V operation and a construction designed'to :ac-

comp-lish this object, while at the same time embodying features above described, is shown in Figs. 9 to 13. The particularlamp illustrated in these figures is intended to be used on the rear endof a car, cart, or the'like,such as-those used in mines. t includes ;a battery casing provided with a removable top 31. The casing top includes a glass globe .32 in 10 which the incandescent lamp 33 is mounted,

the globe usually being made of red glass.

A wire guard 34 protects the globe 32 and has a supportig hook 35 secured to it. The connections between the battery and thee'lectric lamp 33 are similar to thoseshown in Figs. 1 and 2'.

In this arrangement the charging termi-- nals 36 and 37 which correspond to the terminals 8 and 9 of the construction above- 29 described are mounted in an insulating block 38 which is secured rigidly-inside the casing top .3l,.an aperture 40 being formed through the side of this casing to expose these terminals. This aperture may be closed and the terminals protected by a cover 41 which is mounted to slide in the grooved front face of the insulating block 38, both this cover and said face of the block being curved to-correspond to the curvature of the casing31.

A knurled piece 42'secured to the cover 41 projects through the aperture 40 and serves as a thumb piece to assist in moving the cover. Secured fast to the cover also is an inwardly projecting lug 431 which corresponds to 35 the lug 15 on the cover 14and is adapted to slide under the latch 44. A spring 45 serves to depress this latch, this pin and latch arrangement being like that above described in connection with Figs. 1 to 6, and acting to lock the cover in its closed position. An iron pin 46 projects through the casing top immediately over the latch 44 and performs the l- Associated with the cover and its-supporting parts is a switch which includes a split stationary spring contact 47, Fig. 12, secured to the insulating block 38 and a movable knife contact 48 which is-carried by an insulating block 50 that is secured rigidly t the cover 41. This switch is connected in the lamp circuit between one of the charging terminals 36 and 37 and the lamp 33-so that the lamp will be lighted when the switchisclosed and will be extinguished when the switch is open.

The insulating block 50 also carries a spring pressed plunger 51, Figs. 10 and 12,- which is adapted to enter any one of three recesses a, -22, or 0 formed in the lower side of the insulating 'block38. It will be understoodthat in Fig.12 the cover'41'is not shown in its normal position but has been turned downwardly and forwardly. When in its normal positionit fits in the groove formed same functions as the stud 21 shown in Fig.

in the front face of the look 38', as shown in Fig. 12, and the blade shapedco-ntact 48 lies under the part of the block 38 inwhich the sockets (0,. b and 0 areforined and somewhat behind. .thesesockets, so that when the cover 41 slides forward the contact 48 can slide be' tween and into engagement. with themembers of the splitcontact 47. When in this position theplunger 51 rests in the1 socket a. The

thumb piece 42 then is in the positionshownj in Fig. 11 and the lamp is lighted. If the parts the lug 43 is against the locking pin 44. r p L mits a l-imitedmovement of the cover suiir In this arrangement, therefore, the latch percient to open and close the switch 47 but looks the cover against a-sufficient opening movement to expose the charging terminals.- When this latch is electromagnetically withdrawn, however, the cover may then be fully opened, as shown in Fig. 9, the terminals 36 and '37 at this time being exposed for the charging operation.

It will be observed that in this arrangement the cover 41 and switch 47-48 are so associated with each other as-to .ensure the opening of the lamp circuit before perm-itting access to the charging terminals. Also,

I the cover must be closed and locked before the switch can be operated tolight the lampf The plunger 51'cooperates with the three sockets a, b and '0 to determine the .threeop- GIVELUVG positions of the cover 41.

Figs514 to 16,'inclusive, illustrate an ar-- rangement similar to that shown in Figs. 9 to 13, the corresponding parts being indicated by the'sa-mebut primed'numera-l's. Inthis construction a'cover 53 which is locked in its closed positionby the latch-44"iprotectsthe chargingtermina-ls as in the construction" above described. The switch-block 50 which carries the movable switch contact 48 is provided with a curved operating plate 54 having a thumb piece 55 projecting through theaperture 40 in the casing 30. This thumb piece is-so positioned with reference to the thumb piece 56 of the cover that the act of moving the thumb piece 55 far-enough to closethe switch and light the lamp-also serves to move the cover 53 into its closed position where it will be locked by the pin 44.

l/Vhile I have hereinshown and described typical-embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that portable lamps, even those used in mines, take a considerable variety of forms, and that the invention, therefore, may be embodied in-o'ther forms than'those shown without departing from the-spirit or scope thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim as new is:

1. A portable lamp structure comprising the combination with an electric lamp, a storage battery, a casing for one of said elements,

and connections for supplying current from said battery to said electric lamp, of charging terminals in said casing, a cover for protecting said terminals, said cover being movable to expose said terminals, and means for locking said cover in position to prevent access to said terminals. 7

2. A portable lamp structure comprising the combination with an electric lamp, a storage battery, connections for supplying cur- .be released electro-magnetically from a point outside the casing.

3. A portable lamp structure comprising the combination with an electric lamp, a storage battery, connections for supplying current from said battery to said electric lamp, of charging terminals connected with said battery, a casing in which said terminals are mounted, a cover for protecting said terminals, said cover being mounted for movement into and out of position to protect said terminals, a spring actuated latch located in a normally inaccessible position in said casing and serving to lock said coverin position to protect said terminals, said latch being arranged to be released by a magnet presented in a substantially predetermined position at the outside of said casing.

4. In a portable lamp structure the combination with an electric lamp, a storage battery, a casing for housing one of said elements, and conductors for supplying current from said battery to said electric lamp, of chargin terminals connected with said battery an located in said casing, said casingv having an aperture through which access to said terminals may be had, a cover mounted in said casing for movement across said aperture to protect said terminals, a spring actuated latch concealed in said casing and operative to lock said cover in position to protect said terminals, and means for conducting lines of force from a magnet presented in a predetermined position at the outside of said casing to a point closely adjacent to said latch to release the latch.

5. A portable lamp structure comprising the combination with an electric lamp, a storage battery, connections for supplying current from said battery to said electric lamp,

of charging terminals connected with said battery, a casing in which said terminals are mounted, a cover for protecting said-terminals, said cover being mounted for movement intoand outof positions to protect saidterminals, a spring actuated-latch located'in a normally inaccessible position in said casing and serving to lock said cover in position to protect said terminals, said latch being arranged to be released by a magnet presented'in a substantially predetermined position at the outside of said casing, and a switch in said casing for controlling the flow of current to said lamp, said switch being associated with said cover to'be operated by the movement of the cover.

6. A portable lamp structure comprising the combination with an electric-lamp, a storage battery, connections for supplying cur-V rent from said battery to said electric lamp, of charging terminals connected with said battery, a casing in which said terminals are mounted, a cover for protecting said terminals, said cover being mounted for movement into and out of position to protect said terminals, a spring actuated latch located in a normallyinaccessible position in said casing and serving to lock said cover in position to protect said terminals, said latch being ar ranged to be released by a magnet presented in a substantially predetermined position at the outside of said casing, said switch and cover being so associated as to require the operation of the switch to open the lamp circuit in order to operate said cover to permit access to said charging terminals.

7. A portable lamp structure comprising the combination with an electric lamp, a storage battery, connections for supplying current from said battery to said electric lamp, of charging terminals connected with said battery, a casing in which said terminals are mounted, a cover for protecting said terminals, said cover being mounted for movement into and out of position to protect said terminals, a spring actuated latch located in a normally inaccessible position in said casing and serving to lock said cover in position to protect said terminals, said latch being arranged to be released by a magnet presented in a substantially predetermined position at the outside of said casing, said switch and cover being so associated with each other as to ensure the closing of the cover before the switch can be operated to light said lamp.

8. A portable lamp structure comprising the combination with an electric lamp, a storage battery, connections for supplying current from said battery to said electric lamp, of charging terminals connected with said battery, a casing in which said terminals are mounted, a cover for protecting said terminals, said cover being mounted-for movement into and out of position to protect said terminals, a latch concealed in said casing for" locking said cover in position to protect said terminals, said latch being arranged to be released electro-magnetically from a point outside the casing, and a switch controlling the flow of current to said electric lamp, said lamp and cover being so associated with each other as to compel the opening of the lamp circuit before the cover can be moved to expose the charging terminals, and said lock permitting the normal operation of the switch to open or close said lamp circuit independently of the cover. 7

GRANT WHEAT. 

